Ireland (Éire)
The combined populations of the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland total about 6.5 million people. The 2016 Republic of Ireland census reported that 73,803 people speak the Irish language daily outside the education system. This figure includes 20,586 people who speak it every day in the Gaeltacht outside the education system. An additional 57,375 people speak Irish in Northern Ireland. So, about 20% of the population of all Ireland speaks a Celtic language.
The land area of the Island of Ireland is roughly equivalent to that of South Carolina. The combined population of Norther Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is about the same as that of Indiana.
Ireland and Scotland lead the "PR" of Celtic Nations. When most people think of Celtic music they think of Irish and Scottish music. That's likely due to the large diaspora of each country. Strong Irish and Scottish identities flourish in the USA, Canada, Australia and Argentina. As the pub song goes... "Where ever you go you always find an Irish Pub".
The flags of Ireland are a complex and politically charge matter. Three flags contend to be the flag of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland flies the Tricolor (Green White and Gold) Northern Ireland officially flies the British Union Jack. The Unionists of Northern Ireland embrace the Ulster Banner. That flag lost its official status in 1979 when parliament was dissolved. But, the Ulster Banner remains the flag claimed by many in Northern Ireland. Be aware that this subject can be a touchy thing for some.
The land area of the Island of Ireland is roughly equivalent to that of South Carolina. The combined population of Norther Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is about the same as that of Indiana.
Ireland and Scotland lead the "PR" of Celtic Nations. When most people think of Celtic music they think of Irish and Scottish music. That's likely due to the large diaspora of each country. Strong Irish and Scottish identities flourish in the USA, Canada, Australia and Argentina. As the pub song goes... "Where ever you go you always find an Irish Pub".
The flags of Ireland are a complex and politically charge matter. Three flags contend to be the flag of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland flies the Tricolor (Green White and Gold) Northern Ireland officially flies the British Union Jack. The Unionists of Northern Ireland embrace the Ulster Banner. That flag lost its official status in 1979 when parliament was dissolved. But, the Ulster Banner remains the flag claimed by many in Northern Ireland. Be aware that this subject can be a touchy thing for some.
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A central figure in the contemporary popularity of Celtic music is Seán Ó Riada. He was an Irish composer and arranger of Irish music. His blending of the traditional with the modern marks the beginning of the sound of contemporary Celtic music. A straight, unbroken line can be traced from Seán Ó Riada’s work during the two decades of 1950 – 1970 to River Dance, Celtic Women, High Kings and virtually every Celtic music ensemble playing today. Seán Ó Riada’s died in 1971. But his vision of Celtic music lives on.
The greatest, published collector of Irish traditional music was Francis O'Neill. Among Irish musicians he is known and revered as Chief O'Neill. His title comes from his long tenure as head of the Chicago Police Department. Read about his collections at this link. Another great collector of Irish Traditional music was Brendan Breathnach Read about his, largely unpublished collection at this link.
Students of Irish traditional music should also know about the collector Edward Bunting. and famed harper and composer Turlough O'Carolan.
The greatest, published collector of Irish traditional music was Francis O'Neill. Among Irish musicians he is known and revered as Chief O'Neill. His title comes from his long tenure as head of the Chicago Police Department. Read about his collections at this link. Another great collector of Irish Traditional music was Brendan Breathnach Read about his, largely unpublished collection at this link.
Students of Irish traditional music should also know about the collector Edward Bunting. and famed harper and composer Turlough O'Carolan.
Click here to learn more about four Irish musical innovations that define Celtic music: bodhran, low whistle, slip jig, and uilleann pipes.
The Irish tunes below are presented in both standard notation and ABC notation. Click on the audio players to hear the tunes. If you want to download an mp3 file of a tune to study it in greater depth, go to the tune download page.
Advanced Beginners Tunes
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Intermediate Tunes
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More Irish Tunes
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Sources of Irish Music
Click Here for some background on "The greatest individual influence on the evolution of Irish traditional dance music in the twentieth century".
- The Session. The Session provides tunes in standard notation, ABC notation and mp3s. https://thesession.org/
- O'Neill's. http://www.oldmusicproject.com/oneils1.html
- Turlough O'Carolan tunes: http://www.oldmusicproject.com/OneilsOcarolans.html
- John Chambers' Collection: http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/cgi/abc/findtune
- Other good collections include: http://www.norbeck.nu/abc/ http://www.oldmusicproject.com/allans.html
Click Here for some background on "The greatest individual influence on the evolution of Irish traditional dance music in the twentieth century".